New glasses could help the 430 million people globally with hearing difficulties to ‘see’ conversations

A “first of its kind” assistive device is set to make life more inclusive for people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties.

Users wearing phone-tethered augmented reality (AR) smart glasses will be able to read speech in real-time through closed captioning.

The XRAI Glass software converts audio into a subtitled version of conversation, which will then appear on the user’s glasses screen. The software’s sophisticated voice recognition capabilities can identify who’s speaking and will soon have the power to translate languages, voice tones, accents, and pitch.

XRAI Glass launched the public preview of its smart glasses, which go by the same name, on 29 July 2022. The glasses are set to enrich conversation for the 430 million individuals globally who have disabling hearing loss.

Mark Atkinson, CEO of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), said: “This is a great example of the positive difference innovative technology can make for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. At RNID we are excited about the potential for technology to transform the lives of our communities.

“XRAI glass is intuitive and simple to use and could be a powerful tool in ensuring people with hearing loss don’t feel excluded in social settings. We support and applaud this endeavour and are keen to play our part in connecting innovators with our diverse communities.”

XRAI Glass has formed a strategic partnership with AR glasses company nreal.

The glasses will be available online to purchase by EE network customers for an upfront cost of £10 then £35 per month for 11 months or at EE stores nationwide for non-EE customers for £399.99.  There will be no cost for the software during the public preview, and the price following the public preview will be based on feedback from pilot users.

There are plans for wider rollout across other major devices and networks in the coming months, XRAI Glass has confirmed.

During the public preview, the software will initially be available to a group of pilot users using the Google Play Store pre-flight experience.

The trial period will last two months where the team will continuously listen and learn from its users, expanding the AI capabilities and intuitive properties of the software to provide the very best service. In the future, the software will move beyond the realm of audio into a multi-modal transcription experience.

Commenting on the launch of the smart glasses, Dan Scarfe, XRAI Glass CEO, said: “We are so proud of how this innovative technology can enrich the lives of people who are deaf and have hearing loss, so that they can maximise potential. Whether that means being able to have a conversation while continuing to make dinner or keeping a conversation going while walking with a friend.”

People can register for the public preview here.